Gov. Jerry Brown’s signing of the California Dream Act over the weekend sparked an immediate backlash from opponents in San Bernardino County on Monday seeking to overturn the new law that provides state financial aid to undocumented college students.

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly and Claremont-based anti-illegal immigration activist Raymond Herrera plan to initiate two separate efforts to overturn the act, which Brown signed into law on Saturday.

Donnelly, R-Hesperia, said he expects to file immediately after A.B. 131 is chaptered this week.

Herrera said his group – We the People, California’s Crusader – will initiate not only a referendum, but a recall effort against Gov. Jerry Brown and a voter registration campaign.

A.B. 131 provides undocumented students in California who meet in-state tuition requirements the opportunity to apply for public financial aid to help pay for college.

The bill’s author, Assemblyman Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, said there’s about $20 million to $35 million available for financial aid for the students – about 1 percent of the $3.5 billion in funds set aside for students in public education.

But opponents said the bill disenfranchises legal resident students at a time of deep fiscal difficulty for the state.

“We have 2.5 million people out of work in California,” Donnelly said. “You would think our priority would be to get these folks back to work Why would we spend any resources for people who are here in the country illegally.”

Herrera called the plan “bad news for California.”

“Our children now have to compete for these grants against the children of illegal aliens,” said Herrera, founder and president of the anti-illegal immigration group. “When they graduate from college, they’re pitted against illegal aliens that have the same degree and it takes away the opportunity that belongs to our children.”

Cedillo called the legislation reflective of American values and an inclusive vision important for the future of the economy.

“We have to make smart decisions and this is one we need for an educated workforce to compete with the global economy,” Cedillo said.

A referendum needs about 504,000 signatures, Donnelly said, but the assemblyman expects to obtain more than a million.

“All over the state, there are people wanting to help with this referendum,” said Donnelly, who added that the legislation would cost supporters in 2012. “I’ve never seen an outpouring like this in my entire life.”

Adrian Pantoja, a political science professor and Latino studies professor at Pitzer College in Claremont, argued the opposite.

“Politically, this is basically going to encourage Latinos to maintain their Democratic leanings because, once again, it’s a real issue that impacts them,” Pantoja said. “Latinos have family members of varying legal status. Yes, there’s a long history of immigration from Latin America, but the bulk of it is very recent.”

A.B. 131 is the second of a two-bill package referred to as the California Dream Act. The first bill, A.B. 130, allows undocumented students access to financial aid from private donations to public colleges and universities and was signed into law in July.

Martha Hernandez, an undocumented student and graduate of Arroyo Valley High School in San Bernardino, recently began attending UC Berkeley. Hernandez expressed relief over Brown’s approval of the state Dream Act because it will help her pay for school.

“I think that the United States, in itself, was built upon the foundations of equality and opportunity, and the Dream Act in California enforces this idea because it’s telling you that regardless of documentation, you still have that opportunity to be successful.

Neil Nisperos has been a reporter covering everything from business to education, courts, politics, city government, features, arts and entertainment since 1999. On social media, he has a combined following of about 25,300 people over various apps and platforms. He's passionate about the cinema, science, philosophy, poetry, art, photography, culture, literature and history. He feels fortunate to be in the profession that keeps power in check, memorializes people's stories for posterity and helps people with useful information.

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